Zach Hyman gets 2-game suspension for late hit on Charlie McAvoy

The NHL’s Department of Player Safety issued its ruling on Leafs forward Zach Hyman Sunday, suspending the winger for two games following his late hit against Charlie McAvoy on Saturday night.

With 10:15 left in regulation and Boston up, 6-2, against the Leafs, Hyman dropped McAvoy behind the Bruins net, over a second after B’s defenseman sent the puck to his defensive partner in Matt Grzelcyk.

Hyman was handed a game misconduct and a five-minute major for interference following the hit on McAvoy, who was just two games removed from a seven-week absence due to concussion issues.

McAvoy did not log another shift following the late hit on Saturday, although the young blueliner returned to the lineup for Sunday’s tilt against the Senators.



“Hyman moves down the boards in case of an errant pass, or to play a rimmed puck,” the NHL Department of Player Safety video said of the play. “McAvoy quickly sends the puck back behind the Bruins goal.

“Well after the puck is gone, and still outside the line of sight of McAvoy, Hyman delivers a late, forceful, high hit that sends McAvoy dangerously into the boards. … Hyman initiates this hit well after the puck is gone, and contact is made well outside the window where a check may be legally finished.

The Bruins, who called the hit “late” and “unnecessary” following the game, answered back on the ice after Chris Wagner attempted to lay out Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly at center ice. It appears as though Wagner will not face supplemental discipline for the hit.

While Hyman has not been fined or suspended in his career up to this point, the timing of the check and the force at which the winger delivered it gave the NHL cause to suspend Hyman.

“In addition to the lateness of the check, what causes this hit to rise to the level of supplemental discipline is the force of the hit and the predatory nature of the hit itself,” the NHL’s explanation video noted. “Hyman approaches this hit while facing McAvoy’s numbers, ensuring that even a timely hit would be delivered to a player that is unprepared for contact.”

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Hyman will forfeit $24,193.54. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.